For storing lots of portions and bulk buys, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and can easily reach food at the bottom. If you often want to find neatly organised meals, an upright freezer with drawers is a better fit. A large-capacity fridge freezer makes more sense if you also need extra space for fresh food, provided its freezer compartment is big enough for your stash. If you’re keeping it in a garage or unheated cellar, check the permitted ambient temperature range for the specific model, whatever its format.
If you batch-cook several meals at once or buy in bulk, compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the size of your usual containers. Freezing capacity also matters if you regularly add freshly prepared food. For a large stash, check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
If you want to keep prepared meals separate from other food and find them quickly, look at how easy it is to access the drawers or baskets. A large capacity is less convenient if the portions you need are hard to reach.
If the appliance needs to fit through a narrow doorway or work in an unheated room, measure its route in and the space where it will go. Then check the permitted ambient temperature range in the manual for the model you’ve chosen.
Consider it if: you need plenty of storage and have suitable floor space.
The trade-off: portions at the bottom can be harder to retrieve, even with baskets.
Consider it if: you often take out portions and want to organise them in drawers.
The trade-off: check that the capacity and drawer sizes will fit your usual packaging.
Consider it if: your household needs more space for both fresh and frozen food.
The trade-off: the appliance’s total capacity is not the same as the capacity of its freezer compartment alone.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the net freezer capacity, separate from the total capacity of a fridge freezer, with the size of your boxes and bags. If you often freeze freshly prepared food, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | I want to store portions for several people and have room for my bulk buys. Around 44% of consumers would prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the size and ease of use of the drawers or baskets, access to the bottom of a chest freezer and the type of defrosting. | I take meals out regularly and want to find a portion without moving everything else. Around 33% of consumers would put this need for easy access first. |
| Installation and power cuts | Measure the space and clearance needed to open the door or lid. For an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range for the model. Also compare its stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | My space is restricted or unheated, and I want to know the conditions the appliance can operate in and how long it will stay cold without power. Around 23% of consumers would put these considerations first. |
A spacious chest freezer doesn’t necessarily make it easy to retrieve food from the bottom. Que Choisir advises checking that you can remove food from every compartment.
Think about the containers you use most, then check the baskets, loading height and space needed to open the lid.
Liebherr’s claims about FrostProtect and Whirlpool’s about FreezerGuard apply to specific ranges or models, not all chest freezers.
Before choosing an appliance for an unheated cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range in its manual.
The European Commission has used an energy rating scale from A to G for household fridges and freezers since 1 March 2021. The letter alone doesn’t tell you whether two appliances offer the freezer capacity you need.
When comparing appliances with similar capacities and uses, also check the annual energy consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level stated for each model.
The range includes chest freezers, as well as freestanding and built-in models.
The brand offers chest freezers, including the W3RHS37EW1.
Bosch offers upright freezers and large-capacity fridge freezers.
Haier’s freezer range includes both upright and chest models.
These models cover the three formats we’ve looked at: fridge freezers for storing fresh food too, chest freezers for dedicated storage, and upright freezers for organising portions in drawers. Compare the freezer compartment capacity you’ll actually find useful, then check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to keep fresh food and frozen portions in a multi-door appliance. The stated 467 L is the total capacity, not the freezer capacity alone, so check that the freezer compartment meets your needs. The model title lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating.
Image unavailable
Another option if you need to store both fresh food and frozen portions. The stated 360 L is the total capacity, so check the freezer capacity separately before planning your storage. The model is listed with Total No Frost and an E energy rating.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want a dedicated chest freezer for a large stash and have enough floor space. This 291 L model can be set to refrigerate or freeze; its title lists a removable basket, LED lighting and an E energy rating. Check that you’re happy with access to food at the bottom, and check the permitted ambient temperature range if you plan to use it in an unheated room.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d rather organise portions in an upright freezer than stack them in a chest freezer. The title lists a 161 L capacity, three freezer drawers, a reversible door and a C energy rating. Check the external dimensions and the clearance needed to open the door before choosing where to put it.
Image unavailable
Worth considering as an addition to a family food stash if 99 L is enough for the portions you want to store. The title lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating; bear in mind that food below the basket may be harder to reach. The product description specifies manual defrosting.
No. A chest freezer is best suited to storing large quantities, provided you’re happy with top loading. Que Choisir says some chest freezers have a capacity of up to 600 L, but an upright freezer with drawers may be more convenient if you take out portions every day. Compare the usable capacity, baskets and access to food at the bottom.
Yes, if the permitted ambient temperature range for the model covers the conditions in your garage. Whether it’s a chest or upright freezer doesn’t determine this. For example, Whirlpool says its W3RHS37EW1 with FreezerGuard can be used at temperatures down to −15 °C, but this claim doesn’t apply to other models. Check the manual for the appliance you’re considering.
It tells you how long a freezer will stay cold without power, based on test conditions that you should check before comparing appliances. In its tests, Que Choisir measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C, among other things. If the power goes off, keep the door or lid closed to limit the amount of warm air getting in.
Check the energy rating, as well as the annual energy consumption, freezer capacity and noise level when comparing appliances suited to your needs. The European Commission says the energy label scale for household fridges and freezers has run from A to G since 1 March 2021. For a fridge freezer, don’t confuse its total capacity with that of the freezer compartment.